Theron Bradley of Essex

Theron Bradley is the son of Samuel Cornel Bradley and his wife Abigail Brownson. His birth on May 7, 1785 is recorded in Volume One of the land deed ledgers in Sunderland, Vermont. His father Samuel was born in Guilford, Connecticut, his mother in Woodbury, Connecticut. The Bradley and Brownson families were part of the group that founded Sunderland in the 1760s. The town records provide some clarity to the spelling of family names. Brownson is written Bronson in some family trees. In the Sunderland records his uncle Timothy spelled his name Brownson. Timothy Brownson may have been the leading citizen in Sunderland. Referred to as Colonel Brownson he led the local militia. The militia played a large part in the life of the community. The militia protected local claims to the land from claims submitted by other colonies mainly New York. In addition in the late 1700’s the Indians were a very real every day challenge. The Sunderland militia played a major role in the Battle of Bennington a major event in the Revolutionary War. Both Timothy Brownson and Samuel Cornel Bradley have their names etched in the large stone monument erected to celebrate the event. The names of Theron’s grandfather Stephen Bradley and his father Samuel Cornel appear multiple times in the Sunderland records. His father’s name is always spelled Samuel Cornel Bradley. Historically the name Cornel has had a number of different spellings. At some time around 1787 Theron’s family moved to Essex, Vermont. Samuel Cornel Bradley, along with the Griffins, was in the first group to purchase lots from the original proprietors. Samuel was to play a leading role in the new community. As a Deacon in the Congregational Society he took the lead role in the most important institution in town. He served as town clerk, the leading administrator, for many years and served as the Capt. of the militia. Surviving personal histories from the period describe a life centered on reclaiming farm land from the heavily forested landscape. Cutting and burning trees was a major occupation for a young son on his father’s farm. The town history shows Theron as being a member of the local militia that served in the War of 1812. The unit played a part in the Battle of Plattsburgh a city on Lake Champlain. The battle ended the final invasion of the northern states by the British. Theron did not marry until he was 45 marrying Amanda Ring in Essex on May 10, 1830. The 1840 census finds the family still in Essex now composed of Theron and Amanda and 3 sons. The 1850 census, the first to list each member of a household, lists only Theron and Amanda. This circumstance probably accounts for the fact that most family histories seemed to indicate that they did not have any children. But the schools records from the 1840’s indicate that Theron had 3 children enrolled in the local schools. In the Essex town records we find notice of his death, Theron Bradley February 28, 1867 at the age of 81 yrs and 9 mo. His parents are listed as Samuel and Abigail Bradley. We find a brief death record in the Williston town records for Amanda, “Bradley Amanda Ring, Dec 3, 1880”. We have managed to piece together a picture of his family from the Essex town records. In the time frame of the 1840s and 1850s the only Bradley family in Essex was Theron’s. _____________We find a marriage record for a L. S. Bradley of Essex and Sarah Ann Button of Underhill dated June 29. 1856. In the death records we find the records for his daughter Edna Louise age 3 dated January 20, 1859. Edna’s parents are identified as Lowell S. and Sarah A. Bradley. We find a hint of the family connection in the Essex Common Burial Ground. Edna is buried next to her cousin Sylvia E. Bradley. The cemetery record identifies Edna as the daughter of L.S. and S. A. Bradley. Sylvia is the daughter of Lowell’s brother Norman. Norman’s records clearly identify him as the son of Theron Bradley. There is very little history for Lowell. We do not have a death record for he or his wife. We find him in the 1850 census living in Essex as an apprentice to a shoe maker listed under the “S’ middle name, Serene Bradley age 19. In 1860 he is again listed as a shoemaker age 29. In 1860 he is living alone no spouse no children. A 1864 land deed is the last record we have for Lowell Serene Bradley born probably in 1831 the year after his parent’s marriage. ______________We have a detailed death record for the second son in the family Norman S. Bradley dated December 30, 1903 in Williston, Vermont. Bradley Norman S. ,age 70 yrs, 4 mo and 23 days, Born in Essex , Parents Theron Bradley and Amanda Ring. That places his date of birth at August 7, 1833. The 1900 census lists his birth as Aug, 1833. There is a family history that suggests his name was Norman Samuel Bradley. Norman married Sarah McDonald in Essex August 20, 1854. Norman and Sarah had 6 children together. ____________The third son Henry S Bradley was born in 1836 when Theron was 51. We have a detailed marriage record for Henry. “”5th day of May AD 1860 Mr. Henry S. Bradley of said Essex aged 24 years by occupation a Farmer born in said Essex the son Theron and Amanda Bradley and Miss. Ann Hall of said Essex aged 19 born in England the daughter of George and Betsy Hall”. In the 1850 census we find Henry, age 13, in the household of his Aunt Abigail Bradley and her husband Horace Halbert. In 1860 he is listed in Essex his household includes Ann and a son William 5 months old. Henry joined company F of the 9th Regiment of Vermont Infantry June 14, 1862. Regimental records list his death from disease Oct 1, 1862. The 9th was at Harpers Ferry at the time of southern general Stonewall Jackson’s famous Valley campaign. Stonewall attacked on September 13, 1862. The battle lasted for 3 days with the whole 9th regiment surrendering on the 15th. Initially paroled to Annapolis, Maryland by September 25th they were in Chicago. Parole meant they were confined to camp until they were exchanged for southern prisoners. The exchange occurred on January 10, 1863 too late for Henry. Henry died from disease probably due to condition relating to camp life. There is no record of where he actually died or was buried. We do not have any records of what happened to his family. There is a brief record in the Essex probate files and a land deed transferring his property to his wife Ann. The Probate record notes, “Six acres of land with a dwelling house standing thereon being the homestead of said deceased”. It is dated December 30, 1862. ______________ Theron Bradley / Samuel Cornel / Stephen / Stephen / Stephen / Stephen Bradley-Hannah Smith of Guilford.